The Great British Sewing Bee is back for its 12th series, with judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant continuing to forge a strong on-screen partnership. The show, which premiered on BBC1, features comedian and writer Sophie Willan stepping into the presenter role, smoothly guiding the competition without overshadowing the contestants or judges.
Young, 77, showed a particular interest when a contestant revealed a connection to rugby. Judge Patrick Grant playfully teased her, leading to the revelation that Young's father, Air Vice-Marshal Brian Young, was captain of the Wasps rugby club in the 1950s. He was a decorated pilot who flew Hurricanes over France during World War II before being shot down and wounded prior to the Dunkirk evacuation. Archival interviews describe his early interest in flying in South Africa, where he would drop newspapers onto farm tennis courts from his plane.
The dynamic between Young and Grant has been noted as one of the most assured double acts on television, with Grant often characterized by his military bearing and moustache. This series introduces a new set of challenges for the contestants, including designing outfits for a summer's day, with the dressmakers required to model their own creations.
Among the early contestants highlighted are Anna, a vicar's daughter from York who describes her style as 'folk grunge,' and professional soprano Emma, who opted to create a swimsuit for the summer outfit challenge. The show continues to present challenges that test the skills of home sewers, with varying degrees of success among the participants. Lewis, a rugby-playing school teacher, is mentioned as performing well, while other male contestants, Tim and Sam, were reportedly close to elimination early on. Participants like chief finance officer Dawn and chartered actuary Rebecca have expressed the pressure of the competition, with one remarking on a botched pair of shorts and another admitting to relying on 'panic and winging it'.